Arshad Nadeem set for training stint in England ahead of World Athletics Championship

Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem will undergo training in England ahead of the World Championship which will be held in Tokyo in September this year.

“Yes, chances are there and we may go to England but things are not yet clear and are in the process. If it is done it will be a two to three weeks stint and we will then come back to train before going to Tokyo,” Arshad's coach Salman Butt told Nukta in an informal chat on the sidelines of a signing ceremony hosted by PTCL Group (PTCL and Ufone 4G) relating to its partnership with Arshad.

“You know it’s very hot here and undergoing training is not easy and you cannot miss crucial time. We are working and let’s see what happens,” said Butt, who will also go to England with Arshad.

Earlier, Arshad also said at the signing ceremony that he will go to England.

“I will train in England before the World Championship as its hot here and in England weather is good and one can train well,” Arshad said.

The World Championship will be more important for Arshad as he will be desperately trying to claim the title being an Olympic champion and the world’s leading seed these days.

India’s Neeraj Chopra will defend his title in Tokyo. Neeraj recently broke the 90m barrier in the Diamond League.

Arshad is also set to compete in the Asian Championship being held in South Korea. Javelin event will be conducted on May 31.

Eyeing another record

Arshad, after attending the formal sitting, told Nukta in an informal chat that he will try to break the Asian Championship record. The Asian Championship record of 86.73m was made by Cheng Chao-Tsun of Chinese Taipei on April 22, 2019, in Doha.

“I will play with a strategy but want to break the Asian Championship record,” Arshad said.

Neeraj is not featuring in the Asian Championship and it will be Pakistan’s No 2 Yasir Sultan who will be making his best effort to pull off his best in the event in which he had claimed bronze last time in 2023 in Bangkok.

It is not yet clear whether Arshad will be getting the services of South African coach Terseus Liebenberg or not ahead of the World Championship. It is Terseus whose coaching has played a key role in Arshad’s development and his Paris Olympics gold.

Meanwhile, PTCL Group (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited & Ufone 4G), Pakistan’s leading telecommunications and ICT services provider, has once again stepped forward to support Arshad Nadeem not just as a partner but as a steadfast believer in his purpose and potential.

The Group said that Arshad Nadeem, who has brought immense pride to Pakistan with his remarkable achievements like becoming the first Pakistani track and field athlete to qualify directly for the Olympics, securing gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, earning a silver medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships and to top it all by winning gold at the Paris Olympics 2024, continues to inspire the nation with his dedication and perseverance.

“We’ve always believed in Arshad not because he wins medals, but because he embodies something greater i.e. courage, consistency, and character. We are proud to stand beside him again, not just to support a campaign, but to be part of a greater purpose,” Saif Uddin Khan, Group Vice President, Brands & Communication, PTCL & Ufone 4G, said,

Arshad said that PTCL Group stood by him when recognition was far away.

“That kind of belief gives an athlete strength on the field and off it. Now, as I step into another defining phase of my journey, I’m proud to have them with me again. It’s not just about results it’s about showing the world what Pakistan’s spirit looks like,” Arshad said.

“This year, Arshad will represent Pakistan in three major global events, the Asian Athletics Championships, the World Athletics Championships, and the Diamond League and once again, PTCL Group will back him, just as it did before the Paris Olympics when it offered unwavering support months ahead of global recognition. This continued partnership reflects a shared journey of grit, discipline, and the unrelenting passion to raise Pakistan’s flag on the world stage,” the Group said.

“PTCL Group is also fully funding Arshad Nadeem’s upcoming international training stint in the United Kingdom, ensuring access to world-class coaching, top-tier facilities, and a competitive environment that matches his global ambition.”